Approaching a Str...
You have a new neighbor with a new dog. Daisy seems friendly enough, but whenever you meet a new dog, you should take certain steps to ensure you both come out of it unharmed. Make sure the new neighbor allows you to greet Daisy before approaching. Only her owner can tell you if she will be ok with meeting a new person.
Make your Move
• Adjust your attitude. If you have had any bad experiences with a dog, meeting a new one will likely make you tense. Daisy can read that easily and it can affect her feelings towards you. If you feel at all nervous, take a minute to breathe deeply and relax. You should only ever approach a new dog when you are calm.
• Avoid making eye contact, at least initially. Eye contact is a bold move between dogs. It signals dominance and some may react badly to it. Show Daisy you are no threat by looking down or up, but not right at her eyes.
• Approach Daisy slowly. Rushing at her can be terrifying and threatening and she may act accordingly.
• Stick out your hand slowly and calmly. If she wants to sniff it, let her. Move your hand toward her neck, either on the side or under her chin. Petting a dog on the top of the head can be perceived as threatening. You can pet her all over once she is comfortable with you, but for now stick with the neck.
• Let Daisy smell you out. Dogs greet each other by smelling. If she wants to smell your pants, your arms, or even your face, let her. Remain still, calm, and keep avoiding eye contact.
• Once you have gotten this far and all is well, you can look Daisy in the eyes and become her new friend.
What Not to Do
Meeting Daisy is one thing. She is your new neighbor. Her owner was around to tell you it was ok to approach. But what about other situations? The safest bet is to not meet a dog that is alone. If you feel you want to approach a new dog, be sure you do not make these mistakes.
• Don’t let size or breed determine your approach. A little Yorkie can pack a nasty bite and a Doberman may be a sweet pushover. Size and breed have absolutely nothing to do with a dog’s temperament.
• Don’t approach a dog that is barking from its fenced yard. He may be friendly after all, but the risk is greater when a dog feels he is protecting his property. Leave him alone.
• Don’t tense up or act nervous. The dog will act accordingly. If you stick your hand out and then jerk it back out of fear, the dog will jump back and a fear bite could be possible.
• Don’t interrupt food or a chew toy. If a dog is busy with food, a treat, or a toy, he is more interested in it than you, so just let him be. If you try to get in between them, you may come away with a bite.
• Don’t run. If you have assessed the situation and a dog seems intimidating, protective, or aggressive, the last thing to do is run. Back away slowly and avoid eye contact. The best way to lose unwanted attention is to ignore it.
• Don’t misread the signals. A stiff, slowly wagging tail, held up very high is not a friendly sign. Nor are flattened ears, a tense body, or continuous barking. A lower, wagging tail, upright ears, and a relaxed body are good signs.
Dogs have very different ways of communicating than we do. Understanding what they are saying can be the difference between making a new friend or getting bitten. Once you’ve earned the trust of a new dog, you have a friend for life, but getting there is not as easy as walking up to a human and assessing through verbal queues. Heading these words of caution is the best way to make a new canine buddy.
